The Penguin That Swam Away

Do you know this picture? It’s taken by wildlife photographer Amos Nachoum. A leopard seal and a penguin in the Antarctic Sea.

I find myself having so many reactions to it. In awe of the power of the leopard seal. In grief for the fate of the penguin.

I showed it to my daughter. She’s only four. I explained the photo might be a bit scary. But she loves marine life and talks every day about being a scientist. I thought she would love it.

And she did. And then came the questions.

“Leopard seals are very dangerous, aren’t’ they?”

Yes.

“That water must have been very cold!”

Yes.

And then,

“Mum, do we know if someone took a photo of the penguin swimming away?”

No, no we don’t know.

I answered as honestly as my sinking heart could. I didn’t want to crush her innocence.

I was also a little jealous of her innocence. I hadn’t thought of that possibility. Is this what it is like to be young? To be so hopeful about every situation?

I looked again at the penguin. What was he thinking? Did I detect a posture of resignation? Did he accept his fate? Or was he about to swim for his life?

The truth is the penguin was already dead. When I investigated further, the penguin had been chased, dragged into deep water, and drowned – as is the nature of attack of leopard seals. In the photo, the seal is ‘playing’ with its prey.

But it’s still a powerful photo. And I still find myself thinking about the penguin up until this point. Because right now I AM that penguin. Tired as anything, being chased by a monstrous beast. Does anyone else feel like the penguin? I hope I’m not alone.

The beast is different for us all. For me the beast is actually the tiredness itself. If I could just get on top of the exhaustion… What I wouldn’t give to have energy again… My beast has been created by many things. Most days it feels like I’m spiralling into the jaws of the leopard seal.

The question is: do I accept my fate? Or do I dash through the water and hope for dear life the leopard seal is having an off day? There’s a microscopic chance I could make it. A speck of hope.

I think I’m going to cling to that speck. I’m going to think like a four year old.

Get your cameras ready. I’m about to swim away.

More from my site

Share this:

Comments

I can so relate to that feeling of exhaustion. I started back in the paid work force this week after full time mothering for the last 8 years. It will be a part time position, but for the next month it’s pretty much full time. Nothing like diving straight on in!

Don’t stop swimming my friend. And take heart. Just behind that seaweed are 199 other penguins, all armed to the teeth and ready to give that leopard seal a nasty surprise. You are not alone! XNaomi Bulger recently posted..Find time to play

Oh Deb I so feel like this.
I don’t know if my beast is the health issues I am going through and the pain that comes with them.Maybe it is the the many hours a week I spend with mum in the nursing home and the energy it takes to fight off the sadness of seeing her this way.Or it could be the last few difficult years of coping with a very hormonal teenage girl.
But I am doing as you say…hoping the leopard seal is having a off day and am dashing through that water as hard as it may be.
I know you will be able to do it too Deb as you swam so fast and made it past so many of those beasts before.You are my inspiration.When the leopard seal gets too close to me I think of what you have made it through and I swim that much faster.Xx

Debbie, I feel for your beast – ill health and pain in any shape is so hard to live with on a daily basis. I do hope you find the strength to dash through the water too. Your kind words of empathy are truly touch me – you help more people than you might realise. Let’s swim together, shall we? xx

What an amazing photo. Some days all you can do is swim straight into the beast’s mouth but other day’s there’s nothing sweeter than thinking like a four year old xCarli recently posted..When blogging’s lost its shine.

Love your little girl. She’s such a treasure.
Totally hear you on the exhaustion thing. Hubs keeps telling me that it’s just temporary. I don’t think we look at the situation the same way. But each day there’s the light of hope gets a little brighter. Just a teeny tiny bit.
Sending hugs xxxGrace recently posted..Married with a maiden name

The little ones can throw such a different perspective on things, can’t they? I can relate to being tired and weary, often running on adrenalin. It’s not good. I think my recent posts, mostly being about escape really say a lot to where I’m at too. Wishing you good things. I hope you are finding some relief out of the fog. xoVeronica @ Mixed Gems recently posted..A Poetic Adventure

I’m so sorry to you’ve been so tired too, Veronica. I’m really looking forward to catching up with your posts soon – seriously, your posts and your life are important to me! Wishing your relief and good things too. xxx

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Name *

Email *

Website

Comment

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Notify me of follow-up comments via e-mail

Welcome!

I'm Deb. I'm here and I'm alive!
These are my stories.
Creativity and soulfood.
I like the details of every day... like achieving the perfect cup of tea.. and all things quirky, hilarious and beautiful.